Title,Contract Number,Agency,Branch,Program,Year,Phase,Award Amount,SBC,Street,Street 2,City,State,ZIP,Woman-Owned?,Minority-Owned?,HUBZone-Owned?,Contact Name,Contact Title,Contact Phone,Contact Email,Principal Investigator,PI Title,PI Phone,PI Email,Abstract
Intracellular Detection of Small Molecules in Live Cells,FA8650-14-C-5192,DOD,USAF,STTR,2014,2,711624.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Matt Salazar,President,(607) 272-0002,msalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,Principal Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"ABSTRACT: Protection of first responders who are exposed to hazards including chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is a very critical need. The need is derived from not only their welfare but their ability to respond, protect the community and provide logistical support to the response. A simple exposure monitor would provide critical information to the first responder and allow them to respond accordingly and to also help to monitor the environment. Exposure monitoring would also provide a more realistic picture of the threat with multiple points of sampling. Therefore, it would be useful to develop systems that could harness the body""s own chemistry to help detect the presence of CWA exposure in the field. CWAs are toxic because of their direct and indirect impact on biological processes in the human body. Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Dr. Carl Batt of Cornell University are exploring nanoscale materials specifically tailored to create a new class of highly sensitive, robust and personal platform to determine military personnel exposure to OP CWAs. Agave BioSystems has demonstrated that the dye impregnated NPs are responsive to CWA simulants in a cellular environment. During the Phase II program, improved dye impregnated NPs and a prototype NP detector will be developed. The fluorogenic NPs will be incorporated into tattoos to create an in vivo biosensor capable of rapid detection of OP CWA exposure. BENEFIT: The possibility of CWA troop exposure to CWA agents is of major concern to the US military. A variety of systems exist to detect the presence of CWA agents in non-biological settings, but the exposure of humans to these agents can often go undetected until symptoms begin to appear. The development of a simple, biologically based system for detecting either acute or chronic CWA exposure would be of significant benefit to deployed military troops. In this STTR Phase II program, Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Dr. Carl Batt of Cornell University, propose to develop a fluorogenic nanoparticle sensor that can be imbedded into the dermal layer of military personnel as a tattoo. This tattoo would have the unique characteristic of becoming fluorescent upon exposure to low levels of organophosphate CWAs. A small, hand-held optical sensor would then be used to record changes in fluorescence emitted from the tattoo, rapidly indicating exposure to potential CWAs. In addition to military personnel, civilian first responders are also at risk of exposure to organophosphate agents, either as CWAs dispersed by terrorists or as insecticides present in high concentrations at agricultural and industrial sites. First responders can include police, fire, and EMS personnel, as well as search and rescue, and National Guard troop. While the exact number of first responders in the US is not known, some estimate that there may be as many 10 million people who could be characterized as first responders. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 1.3 million professional and volunteer fire personnel, about 800,000 police, and about 250,000 EMTs and paramedics in the US alone. While it may not be necessary to use an implantable tattoo biosensor for detecting OP exposure in every first responder, the market for tattoos and fluorescence monitors for US military and National Guard troops, as well as police, fire and EMS personnel could be well over 1 million individuals. If even a small fraction (1%) of this number requires monitoring, the market for fluorescent biosensor tattoos and handheld monitors could exceed $10 million. In addition to the detection of OP CWAs and pesticides, implantable biosensors such as those described in this proposal, adaptation of this technology could readily yield biosensors capable of detecting a wide range of chemical contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). Potential diagnostic markets for VOC and related compound detection include homeland security, law enforcement and the military. The chemical modularity of the approach described herein should ably address the need for real time, field deployable sensors potentially capable of detecting myriad families of chemical toxicants in a multitude of settings. Upon completion of the Phase II program, Agave BioSystems will develop a detailed Phase III plan for the commercialization of the resulting technology."
"Identification of Patients with Clostridium Difficile Infection, Colonization and/or Reoccurrence",200-2014-M-60929,HHS,HHS,SBIR,2014,1,150000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Richard Baldwin,,(607) 272-0002,Kberghorn@agavebio.com,Richard Baldwin,,(607) 272-0002,Kberghorn@agavebio.com,"Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) results in excess of 14,000 deaths and over $1 billion in excess healthcare costs annually. Early and reliable diagnosis is key for both improving treatment outcomes, and instituting precautions to prevent transmission. Antibiotic therapy can actually increase the odds of coming down with a hospital-acquired infection, especially when the cause is a bacterium named Clostridium difficile. Currently there are no serologic assays for C. difficile toxins A and B. Such an assay would be advantageous for defining the epidemiology of CDI and selecting patients in whom to target future vaccines. The ideal serologic assay for CDI would measure circulating IgG and IgA antibodies to C. difficile toxin A and B as well as detect early and specific immunologic responses to these toxins. Agave BioSystems proposed to develop microsphere-based diagnostic assays to meet these objectives and to further develop the microsphere-based assay such that a single blood sample in a single well can detect toxin antibodies and early immunogenic responses to these toxins. These C. difficile microsphere assays will be developed sufficiently enough to differentiate patients that are susceptible for primary infection (asymptomatic), positive for colonization only and those that are likely to have CDI recurrence."
Volcanic Ash Analysis and Detection Technology,FA8650-14-C-2428,DOD,USAF,SBIR,2014,2,747833.00,Mobile Mapping Corporation,758-I Kuskokwim Dr,,Fairbanks,AK,99775-1801,No,No,No,Keith W. Cunningham,President,(907) 474-6958,kwc@mobile-map.com,Keith W. Cunningham,President,(907) 474-6958,kwc@mobile-map.com,"ABSTRACT: Aviation near volcanic plumes is dangerous because aircraft engines can be damaged if they ingest airborne ash and aerosols. Knowing the forecast location of an ash plume will improve aviation safety while reducing engine maintenance costs. Ash forecast models are immature. To improve their accuracy we have conducted research with volcanologists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) resulting in a doubling of forecast accuracy. This Phase 2 proposal will continue the forecast-model development. A leap in forecast accuracy will be possible when we are able to measure the size and concentration of the ash at its eruption source. We are partnering with Polartronix, also located in Fairbanks, who has designed a sensor that can be flown on unmanned aerial systems into a volcanic plume. This sensor will be tested using unmanned aircraft operated by UAF. Data from these sensors are expected to again double forecast accuracy. We have nascent technology to reduce aviation risk, help jet engine manufacturers understand issues of engine maintenance, and a tool to mitigate the economic impact of volcanic eruptions on global commerce. We intend to commercialize the technology. BENEFIT: Our development work includes technology that can be used to reduce aviation risk, help jet engine manufacturers understand issues of engine maintenance, and a tool to mitigate the economic impact of volcanic eruptions on global commerce. The market for the services is global and includes various government agencies like the US Air Force, USGS, NOAA, FAA as well as manufacturers of aircraft and jet engines. The same technology also has applications with pollution monitoring from point and non-point sources as well at forecasting fallout from a dirty bomb."
Harnessing Clean River Energy with the RivGen Power System to Replace and Offset Diesel Fuel Use by Rural Communities,2014-02567,USDA,USDA,SBIR,2014,2,450000.00,"ORPC ALASKA, LLC",725 CHRISTIANSEN DR STE 6,,Anchorage,AK,99501-0000,No,No,Yes,Monty Worthington,Director - Project Development,207-358-4990,mworthington@orpc.co,Monty Worthington,Director - Project Development,207-358-4990,mworthington@orpc.co,"ORPCproposes a project that will alter fossil fuel use and energy economics in remote off-grid river communities. The project will allow conversion of hydrokinetic river energy, a vast renewable resource that is underutilized, into an economical, reliable source of clean electricity for river communities. ORPC will accomplish this by optimizing the prototype RivGen & reg; Power System design for the lower speed river currents that are prevalent throughout the world. The proposed new design will also significantly improve the prototype system & #39;s overall efficiency, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuel generation in river communities.This project directly results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints. A distinguishing feature of ORPC & #39;s RivGen & reg; Power System is that it can be incorporated into isolated power grids that currently rely on diesel generators, which have a disproportionately high carbon output compared to other power generation systems. By harnessing river currents and delivering the power to community grids, the RivGen & reg; Power System offsets the use of diesel fuel and can allow the diesel generators to shut off entirely. Because the RivGen & reg; Power System uses no fossil fuels and produces no emissions, its use can greatly reduce a community & #39;s greenhouse gas emissions and overall carbon footprint. For example, when fully commercialized, the use of a single RivGen & reg; Power Systems to replace electricity generated using diesel fuel would result in the annual production of 190,000 kWh of electricity (utilizing resource data from Kvichak River at Igiugig, AK), and the yearly avoidance of 315,000 pounds (157.5 tons) of CO2 emissions per year. This is the equivalent of reducing oil consumption by 332 barrels annually."
High-capacity and Cost-effective Manufacture of Chloroperoxidase,W911NF-13-C-0009,DOD,DOD,STTR,2013,2,374999.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,John Ramsey,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jramsey@agavebio.com,"The chloroperoxidase enzyme from the filamentous fungus Caldariomyces fumago has applications in industrial chemical synthesis and the detection and inactivation of chemical warfare agents. Chloroperoxidase is capable of regio- and enantioselective oxygenations and halogenations of organic substrates. When performed chemically, these reactions typically require aggressive reagents and reaction conditions, and lead to the formation of undesired by-products. Widespread adoption of enzyme-catalyzed synthetic strategies is hindered by the high cost of purified proteins, and by the challenges of retaining the native activity of proteins expressed using heterologous host systems. In the Phase I, Agave BioSystems and collaborators from Cornell University achieved high level production of highly active recombinant Caldariomyces fumago chloroperoxidase (rCPO) in Aspergillus. The current not fully optimized levels of expression are five-fold higher than previously reported. They are also 100 fold lower than potential levels which have been achieved with other Aspergillus systems providing enormous upside potential that will be realized upon completion of the Phase II tasks. The result will be an expression system that meets or exceeds the sponsor""s specifications."
Multiplex Immunoassays in the Development of Vaccines Against Enteric Pathogens,W81XWH-12-C-0099,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2013,2,1149993.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Senior Scientist,(607) 272-0002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"Bacterial enteric pathogens causing travelers""diarrhea (TD) in developing countries include enterotoxigenic E. coli (50%), Camplyobacter jejuni, Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri, while Norovirus is a common viral cause. High risk regions for TD include areas where US service members are deployed. The rapid identification of immune responses to enteric pathogens would be advantageous to discovering potential vaccine candidates and defining exposures to enteric infections of interest. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are the current""gold standard""to measure serum antibody titers in response to enteric pathogens. However, ELISAs have significant limitations preventing their application in high-throughput screening of large sample numbers for multiple pathogens simultaneously. The difficulty of multiplexing ELISAs in a single well leads to increased usage of serum sample as well as reagents. Therefore, an assay is needed that can be multiplexed to detect several different pathogens in a single well and requires minimal technician time to perform. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems demonstrated proof-of-concept for the use of flow cytometry microspheres in a multiplex assay to determine immunogenicity of candidate vaccines as well as prior pathogen exposure in blood. This novel multiplex microsphere-based assay will cover the most common causative pathogens of diarrhea."
Probiotics for Maintaining Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Health and the Readiness of the U.S. Navy"s Marine Mammal Systems,N00014-13-P-1172,DOD,NAVY,STTR,2013,1,79999.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Matt Salazar,President,(607) 272-0002,msalazar@agavebio.com,John Ramsey,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jramsey@agavebio.com,"Agave BioSystems, with their academic partners at the Mote Marine Laboratory, proposes to develop probiotic pharmaceuticals from indigenous commensal microbes to enhance gastrointestinal health in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The dolphin gastrointestinal microbiome will be characterized by 16S rRNA deep sequencing, and culturable commensals will be isolated by plating dolphin gastric and fecal samples on a range of media. Cultured microbes will be tested for their ability to inhibit pathogen growth using a panel of known dolphin infectious agents, while qPCR assays will be developed to confirm the presence of the selected probiotic candidates in a sample dolphin population. A process for encapsulation of probiotic candidates will be developed to extend shelf life and confer resistance to degradation in gastric and bile environments. A Phase II plan will be developed to demonstrate the safety of the probiotic and evaluate its efficacy in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease in dolphins. Candidate probiotics will be characterized for colonization and adhesion and for their ability to modulate the host inflammatory response. Agave BioSystems will work with the US Navy Marine Mammal Program in the Phase II to demonstrate the performance of the probiotic at colonizing the dolphin intestine and promoting gastrointestinal health."
PNA-Based Rapidly Adaptable Anti-Microbial Nanoparticles,W911QX-13-C-0069,DOD,DARPA,SBIR,2013,2,1000000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Matt Salazar,President,(607) 272-0002,msalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,Principal Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"Wound management becomes increasingly challenging due to bacterial infections, especially from epidemic drug-resistant strains. To address this problem, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a RANT (Rapidly Adaptable Nanotherapeutics) breadboard system built upon the modules successfully established in Phase I of this work. The proposed breadboard system will use genomic sequencing data generated from wound pathogens to identify unknown pathogens and gene targets. These targets will serve as the basis for design of antisense PNA sequences to be incorporated into a PNA-CPP modified DNA nanoparticle. The pathogen-specific, ad hoc-developed nanoparticles are anticipated to possess characteristics of high efficacy, stability and penetration abilities to facilitate effective and specific elimination of emerging drug resistant microbes."
National Phone App for Linking Adolescents to Local Pregnancy Prevention Resources,200-2013-M-57442,HHS,HHS,SBIR,2013,1,146965.00,"National Health Promotion Asso., Inc.",711 Westchester Avenue,,White Plains,AK,10604-,No,No,No,Julio Lopez,,,,Christopher Williams,,(914) 421-2525,cwilliams@nhpamall.com,"Teen pregnancy rates remain high particularly among racial/ethnic minority youth and age of onset for sexual activity has decreased significantly in recent years. As young teenagers initiate dating and sexual activity during the years of middle school, there are often few resources available for accurate information about pregnancy prevention and reproductive health. Furthermore, teens may not know where to turn to obtain this information and may be reluctant to ask questions about this sensitive topic. The goal of the proposed Phase I application is to develop a mobile phone app (MTeenHealth+) for teen pregnancy prevention that 1) provides accurate and evidence-based health information to teens to increase health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding pregnancy prevention and sexual health; 2) guides teens in how to discuss sexual health issues with dating/sexual partners and/or caring adults; 3)serves as a tool for parents, other caring adults, and professionals that work with early adolescents (e.g., school guidance counselors, health educators, teachers, and health care providers) to initiate conversations and provide referrals to information and services regarding pregnancy prevetion; and 4)directly links teens to local pregnancy prevention resources in their communities (e.g., GPS links to clinics) as well as high quality online information and services. The mobile phone app will be designed for adolescents from age 11 to 20 years of age, a wide range of users with different developmental needs. In the proposed project, we will conduct a needs assessment by conducting focus groups with teens, parents, professionals that work with these youth, and providers from community-based organizations that focus on pregnancy prevention."
Harnessing Clean River Energy with the RivGen Power System to Replace and Offset Diesel Fuel Use by Rural Communities,2013-00296,USDA,USDA,SBIR,2013,1,100000.00,"ORPC ALASKA, LLC",725 CHRISTIANSEN DR STE 6,,Anchorage,AK,99501-0000,No,No,Yes,Monty Worthington,Director - Project Development,207-358-4990,mworthington@orpc.co,Monty Worthington,Director - Project Development,207-358-4990,mworthington@orpc.co,"This project will make hydrokinetic river energy, a completely renewable resource, into an economical source of clean power for river communities. ORPC will accomplish this by optimizing the prototype RivGen Power System design for lower speed river currents that are prvalent throughout the world. The RivGen Power System generates zero-emission electricity from river currents using no fossil fuels whatsoever andproducing no gas or liquid emissions. The prposed new design will also significantly improve the prototype system & #39;s overall efficiency, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuel generation in river communities."
Intracellular Detection of Small Molecules in Live Cells,FA8650-12-M-5125,DOD,USAF,STTR,2012,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 373-8601,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,Principal Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"ABSTRACT: The extreme toxicity of organophosphate (OP) chemical warfare agents (CWA) is due to their specific, rapid, and irreversible reaction with cholinesterase enzymes. A significant portion of this reactive nature of OP agents is directly due to the unique metabolically active environment found in and around cells. The goal of this proposal is to harness this unique intracellular environment to create a new class of highly sensitive, robust, and field portable sensor for rapidly detecting military personnel exposure to OP CWAs. In its final configuration, the proposed nanoparticles could be delivered as intradermal tattoos, allowing for rapid and personalized detection of potentially toxic OP agents. In Phase I, Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Dr. Carl Batt of Cornell University, proposes to develop a warfare agent (CWA) detection system by incorporating fluorescent dyes demonstrated to sense CWAs into biocompatible nanoparticles that will serve as the support for the dye and the site of the response. The ability of these dye-impregnated nanoparticles to detect the presence of organophosphate CWAs will be tested in human cells. The goal is to create a system that utilizes human cellular chemistry to aid in the detection of potential CWA exposure. BENEFIT: In addition to detecting organophosphates, these types of nanoparticle sensors will have applications beyond CWAs since the nanoparticles are capable of supporting dyes capable of sensing myriad of other toxicants biomolecules. The potential diagnostic markets for this approach extend to VOC and other toxic industrial chemical detection in homeland security, law enforcement and industrial hygiene settings. The nanoparticles-based sensors could also be adapted for the detection of lactate, glucose, hydration, and corticosteroids levels."
Ionic Liquid-Based Dried Biological Specimen Materials,W31P4Q-12-C-0017,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2012,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 373-8601,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,Principal Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"Dried blood spots (DBS) analysis has many advantages over standard liquid blood sample testing including: small sample size, ease of blood sampling, room temperature storage, minimal storage size requirement, and ease of shipping. Although these advantages are significant, there are still problems associated with the current DBS systems. The drying of blood spots on the DBS cards can be uneven, leading to uneven distribution of biomolecules throughout the blood spot. This problem can be confounded by the fact that samples can undergo chromatography during DBS application. The paper-based DBS cards can also react with various components of the blood samples, causing oxidation and/or inactivation of antibodies, enzymes, cytokines and other important analytes. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop novel blood storage media based on ionic liquids (ILs). These novel ionic liquid-based materials will have improved biocompatibility and flow characteristics, which will be major advantages over current filter paper-based DBS cards."
PNA-Based Rapidly Adaptable Anti-Microbial Nanoparticles,W911QX-12-C-0074,DOD,DARPA,SBIR,2012,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,Principal Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"Agave BioSystems proposed to develop a system of Rapidly Adaptable Nanotherapeutics (RANT) by combining advanced bioformatics, with DNA-based nanoparticles, peptide nucleic acid (PNA) antisense oligonucleotides, and cell permeating peptides (CPPs). Advanced bioinformatics computing will allow for the identification of essential and drug resistance genes within the target pathogens. These genes will be used to develop and synthesize PNA based anti-sense oligonucleotides. These PNAs are designed to suppress the growth and destroy the target microorganisms. DNA nanoparticles coated with CPPs will be used to get the anti-sense PNAs into the target microorganisms. Combined, these components will allow for the rapid targeting of essential or drug resistance microbial genes, and the delivery of stable antisense oligonucleotides into the target microorganisms."
Combinatorial PNA-CPP Molecules Targeting Plasmid Transfer and Replication to Control Antibiotic Resistance,W31P4Q-13-C-0025,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2012,1,99999.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(607) 272-0002,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Zoey Ni,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,zni@agavebio.com,"One major cause of the widespread of drug-resistant and virulent bacteria pathogen is the horizontal gene transfer of resistance and virulence genes in the form of plasmids. As proof-of concept for this Phase I effort, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop combinatorial therapeutics by inhibiting conserved genes involved in multiple steps of plasmid transfer and replication using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) antisense oligonucleotides and cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) in both gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and gram-positive strain Enterococcus faecalis. These PNA-CPPs are designed to suppress the expression of the critical enzymes involved in the plasmid transfer and replication in the pathogenic microorganisms. The proposed system has the potential to inhibit the spread of drug resistance genes to susceptible strains and eventually eliminate the drug resistance of the host microbes."
Antimicrobial Drug Targeted to Essential Bacterial Genes in Wound Infection Pathogens,W81XWH-12-C-0003,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2012,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Mehran Pazirandeh,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,mehranp@agavebio.com,"Wounds infected with drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria can increase morbidity, hospital length of stay and cost. Among these Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have become important causes of concern in military personnel wounded in battlefield. New classes of antimicrobial agents are needed to combat this threat. Emerging work has focused on a new type of strategy through gene silencing by antisense mechanisms to block intracellular synthesis of housekeeping proteins via inhibition of mRNA. Among the various antisense molecules Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) have several advantages and are ideally suited for development as antibacterial agents. PNAs are resistant to nucleases, proteases, and degradative enzymes, have a high binding affinity and a long half-life compared inside the cells compared to antibiotics. Therefore, in this Phase I Agave BioSystems proposes to develop antisense PNA molecules to block synthesis of housekeeping proteins in K. pneumoniae"
Yeast-Based High-Throughput Screens for Inhibitors of Key Flaviviral Enzymes,W81XWH-12-C-0040,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2012,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Julien Fey,Senior Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jfey@agavebio.com,"With no clinically approved antiviral therapy available for treatment of flavivirus infections, the development of efficient vaccines and antiviral agents for prevention and treatment of infections is an urgent health priority. A combination of structure-based in silico models, in vitro and cell-based assays has led in the last decade to the identification of promising new compounds with antiviral properties, for the most part targeting one of the key enzymatic functions essential to the life cycle of these viruses. In this context development of highly-performing assays with increased screening capacity is seen as a valuable tool needed to extend screening campaigns. Agave BioSystems proposes to develop yeast-based assays for the high-throughput screening of chemical inhibitors of the flaviviral NS2B/NS3 protease activity and both the RNA methyltransferase activity and RNA polymerase activity of NS5. Key advantages of yeast-based assays are the direct screening in a cellular environment, strong statistical performance in microplate formats with no reagent aging, and most importantly extremely simple and cost-effective scalability for high-throughput campaigns."
Multiplex Immunoassays in the Development of Vaccines Against Enteric Pathogens,W81XWH-12-C-0099,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2012,1,99999.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 373-8601,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"Bacterial enteric pathogens causing travelers""diarrhea (TD) in developing countries include enterotoxigenic E. coli (50%), Camplyobacter jejuni, Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri, while Norovirus is a common viral cause. High risk regions for TD include areas where US service members are deployed. The rapid identification of immune responses to enteric pathogens would be advantageous to discovering potential vaccine candidates and defining exposures to enteric infections of interest. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are the current""gold standard""to measure serum antibody titers in response to enteric pathogens. However, ELISAs have significant limitations preventing their application in high-throughput screening of large sample numbers for multiple pathogens simultaneously. The difficulty of multiplexing ELISAs in a single well leads to increased usage of serum sample as well as reagents. Therefore, an assay is needed that can be multiplexed to detect several different pathogens in a single well and requires minimal technician time to perform. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to use flow cytometry microspheres in a multiplex assay to determine immunogenicity of candidate vaccines as well as prior pathogen exposure in blood. This novel multiplex microsphere-based assay will cover the most common causative pathogens of diarrhea."
"Novel Toxicity Sensor using Genetically Engineered, Permeabilized, Freeze-Dried Bacteria",W81XWH-11-C-0039,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2012,2,780000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Julien Fey,Senior Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jfey@agavebio.com,"Field testing of water samples is needed for broad and sensitive detection of toxic industrial chemicals, or TICs. The use of unicellular organisms in cell-based detection systems is particularly advantageous both because these organisms have developed a natural ability to respond to environmental changes, and because several methods for long-term storage with minimal maintenance requirements have been established and tested. Long-term storage of packaged freeze-dried cells with no need for significant environmental controls such as temperature eliminates limitations in the development of a rugged field-deployable device perfectly adapted to logistical requirements in a military setting. The need for a toxicant of interest to cross the natural barriers such as cell walls or membranes is perhaps the only significant limitation to the detection capability of any cell-based system. This will be addressed as part of the proposed effort by testing known genetic and biochemical approaches to the permeabilization of the bacterial cell wall to develop novel biosensors with broader and more sensitive detection capabilities. The Phase I established proof-of-concept for this novel biosensor. In the Phase II, a complete prototype will be developed ready for field testing."
Improved Coupling Factor of Personal Cooling Systems,FA8052-12-C-0006,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2012,1,149842.00,"Alaska Native Technologies, LLC",PO Box 241085,,Anchorage,AK,-,No,No,No,Paul Greenough,General Manager,(360) 697-6785,pgreenough@ant-llc.net,Joseph Imlach,Chief Mechanical Engineer,(907) 569-0268,jimlach@ant-llc.net,"The Microclimate Cooling Unit will use magnetic energy to cause a temperature change in the exchanger to extract heat from the gel pack, which covers the primary area of heat loss on the human body at the neck and upper back, reducing the overall body temperature. Thermocouples will monitor the gel pack to allow the user to adjust the pack temperature to their needs."
Production Methods and Software for NIST Calibration Phantoms,SB1341-12-CN-0035,DOC,NIST,SBIR,2012,2,300000.00,Sigma-K Corp.,,,,AK,,Yes,No,No,,,,,Douglas Kirven,,(919) 971-4287,dkirven@sigma-k.com,"Magnetic Resonance Imaging data needs to be calibrated using a universal standard. NIST and the ISMRM SQRM committee have developed the NIST/NIST MR phantom. The group had two phantoms manufactured to their specifications and these phantoms have been imaged at numerous imaging facilities. Sigma-K now proposes to develop a complete manufacturing method that will produce 50 MRI phantoms. These phantoms will be sent to numerous imaging facilities for research and testing. The phantom design proposed by Sigma-K will ensure measurement traceability of all of parameters in the phantom. These include 100 contrast and fiducial spheres, resolution inset(s), and slice profile wedges. The work performed by Sigma-K during the Phase 2 Work Plan, will allow Sigma-K to immediately begin a production process that will allow this phantom to be purchased for less than $2500."
Volcanic Ash Analysis and Detection Technology,FA8650-12-M-2223,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2012,1,146800.00,Mobile Mapping Corporation,758-I Kuskokwim Dr,,Fairbanks,AK,99775-1801,No,No,No,Keith Cunningham,President,(907) 474-6958,kwc@mobile-map.com,Keith Cunningham,President,(907) 474-6958,kwc@mobile-map.com,"ABSTRACT: A refined volcanic plume model is proposed to evaluate improved forecasting of ash movement and dispersion. This refined model utilizes near real-time model calibration and validation, perspective satellite observation geometry, and future in-situ measurements for more accurate models and forecasts. BENEFIT: Aircraft safety utilizes coarse volcanic plume models and better models will allow improved operational safety margins."
Volcanic Ash Analysis and Detection Technology,FA8650-12-M-2222,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2012,1,146535.00,Polartronix,POB 81264,,Fairbanks,AK,-,No,No,No,Kevin Abnett,Owner,(907) 479-0370,kcabnett@gmail.com,Kevin Abnett,Engineer,(907) 479-0370,kcabnett@gmail.com,"ABSTRACT: This proposal is to design an instrument that will detect and quantify volcanic ash hazards. A proof of concept model of the instrument will be constructed and tested. This instrument will measure overall density, particle size distribution and elemental composition. While the instrument in Phase 1 will not be certified to fly on a UAV, design elements will be incorporated for the goal of UAV integration in Phase 2. BENEFIT: This will benefit safety of air travel near volcanic hazards. Allow for reduced engine maintenance, and provide improvements to satellite based monitoring systems."
High-capacity and Cost-effective Manufacture of Chloroperoxidase,W911NF-11-C-0231,DOD,ARMY,STTR,2011,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 373-8601,nsalazar@agavebio.com,John Ramsey,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jramsey@agavebio.com,"The chloroperoxidase enzyme from the filamentous fungus Caldariomyces fumago has applications in industrial chemical synthesis and the detection and inactivation of chemical warfare agents. Chloroperoxidase is capable of regio- and enantioselective oxygenations and halogenations of organic substrates. When performed chemically, these reactions typically require aggressive reagents and reaction conditions, and lead to the formation of undesired by-products. Widespread adoption of enzyme-catalyzed synthetic strategies is hindered by the high cost of purified proteins, and by the challenges of retaining the native activity of proteins expressed using heterologous host systems. Chloroperoxidase is a heavily glycosylated protein, and only when it is expressed in filamentous fungal hosts such as Aspergillus niger are the post-translational modifications necessary for its activity performed with fidelity. Development of optimized Aspergillus strains and constructs has facilitated heterologous expression of a range of secreted proteins. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a system for expression and purification of chloroperoxidase (CPO) from C. fumago using the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger as host. Fermentation conditions will be optimized for high volume and cost-effective production, and the biochemical properties of the recombinant enzyme will be characterized."
Specific Epigenetic Molecules Involved in Wound Healing and Repair,W81XWH-11-C-0480,DOD,ARMY,STTR,2011,1,99999.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 373-8601,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"The ability to direct the wound pathways following injury could provide a critical path in wound care at crucial times during the progression of healing. A promising field of study in wound healing is epigenetics; alterations in gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in DNA sequence. Identification of epigenetic factors and their manipulation may result in the development of novel therapies that enhance wound recovery as well as diagnostic tests that assess the progress of wound repair. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Dr. Vincenzo Pirrotta of Rutgers University, proposes to characterize the role of Polycomb Group (PcG) complexes during the wound healing process and manipulate PcG repression to accelerate wound healing. PcG complexes are known to regulate multiple genes involved in keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation during wound healing. We anticipate that PcG repression may have different effects at different stages in the healing process. While derepression might be advantageous to express genes that promote healing, it is known that PcG repression of other genes is required for cell proliferation that is also essential for wound healing. Therefore, the specific PcG targets and timing of PcG derepression are important and may require a two-stage treatment."
Multiplex Microsphere Assay for Botulinum Neutralizing Antibodies,W81XWH-11-C-0098,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2011,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"Currently, the accepted standard experimental model for measuring protective efficacy against botulism is the Mouse Lethality Neutralization (MLN) assay. Botulism poisoning is a life threatening condition that is not only a public health concern, but could also be a potential biological weapon. With seven serotypes of botulinum neurotoxins, there is need for an alternative to the MLN assay due to the complexity of neutralizing a variety of these neurotoxins. Numerous MLN assays would be required to develop and produce cocktails of antibodies as protections against any combination of all seven botulism serotypes consuming time, resources and animals. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop an accurate and sensitive in vitro assay to replace the Mouse Lethality Neutralization assay for testing botulinum neutralizing antibodies using flow cytometry microspheres in a 2 part assay. This microsphere-based assay can be multiplexed to cover all botulinum subtypes and has the flexibility to test cocktails of potential neutralizing antibodies to determine their efficacy. The two part in vitro assay will measure antibody affinity and neutralizing ability, two key features needed for effective, functionally active botulinum neurotoxins antibodies."
Luminescent Coordination Polymer-Based VOC Monitoring System,FA9301-11-M-E013,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2011,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Omar Green,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,ogreen@agavebio.com,"ABSTRACT: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) serve an important role in manufacturing processes as solvents. However, once these products reach the marketplace the industrial solvents are released into the ambient air, causing them to concentrate in enclosed work spaces such as office buildings. Exposure to VOCs from sources such as new furnishings, wall coverings, and office equipment has been linked to sick building syndrome, and has been blamed for increased rates of leukemia and lymphoma. A CDC investigation has suggested specific VOCs contributed to the illnesses associated with living in FEMA trailers following Hurricane Katrina. Therefore, the detection and subsequent mitigation of VOC exposure is important for public health in myriad settings. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to use coinage metal (i.e. Cu(I), Ag(I), and Au(I))-based luminescent coordination polymers capable of reversibly interacting with target VOCs (e.g. benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE)). Changes in the optical characteristics resulting from interaction between VOCs and the coordination polymers can be photometrically detected for a simple and sensitive continuous monitoring system. BENEFIT: At the completion of the Phase II, Agave BioSystems will have developed a single step, field portable VOC sensor capable of specifically and sensitively detecting VOCs in the ambient workplace environment. The sensor will be marketable as an easy to read and fast replacement to EPA compendium method TO-15. The sensor will have applications at numerous DOD sites, and due to rapid detection, the device will provide a means to test multiple locations more frequently, enabling faster remediation of contaminated sites. Other markets include industrial facilities, homeland security, forensics, and law enforcement."
"Novel Toxicity Sensor using Genetically Engineered, Permeabilized, Freeze-Dried Bacteria",W81XWH-11-C-0039,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2011,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Julien Fey,Senior Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jfey@agavebio.com,"Field testing of water samples is needed for broad and sensitive detection of toxic industrial chemicals, or TICs. The use of unicellular organisms in cell-based detection systems is particularly advantageous both because these organisms have developed a natural ability to respond to environmental changes, and because several methods for long-term storage with minimal maintenance requirements have been established and tested. Long-term storage of packaged freeze-dried cells with no need for significant environmental controls such as temperature eliminates limitations in the development of a rugged field-deployable device perfectly adapted to logistical requirements in a military setting. The need for a toxicant of interest to cross the natural barriers such as cell walls or membranes is perhaps the only significant limitation to the detection capability of any cell-based system. This will be addressed as part of the proposed effort by testing known genetic and biochemical approaches to the permeabilization of the bacterial cell wall to develop novel biosensors with broader and more sensitive detection capabilities."
A High-Throughput Blood Esterase Panel Assay,W81XWH-10-C-0063,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2011,2,750000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 373-8601,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Julien Fey,Senior Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jfey@agavebio.com,"Organophosphorus chemical warfare nerve agents (OP-CWA) are attractive to terrorist groups and rogue states as an inexpensive and accessible technology for chemical warfare. OP-CWA and organophosphate pesticides cause severe neurological symptoms and death by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE); the resulting excess acetylcholine accumulates and overstimulates the human or animal body. Other esterases and organophosphatases in the blood either bind (butyrylcholinesterase, BChE) or catalytically degrade (paraoxonase, PON1) OP-CWA. Therefore, it is critically important to be able to quickly monitor the human blood complement of OP-CWA enzymes to assess both susceptibility and current condition. For military and civilian clinical use, a high-throughput, minimally invasive assay system is needed to quickly and accurately screen large numbers of soldiers/agricultural workers/first responders for OP-CWA or OP-pesticide exposure. The currently available WRAIR assay is high-throughput, uses a minimal amount of whole blood, and is sensitive and accurate for AChE and BChE levels. An assay that additionally measures PON1 and albumin esterase activities relevant to OP degradation and/or binding is greatly needed to more fully assess OP-CWA or -pesticide susceptibility for individuals at risk."
Food Toxicity Detection Using C. elegans,W81XWH-10-C-0213,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2011,2,750000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"Current toxicity testing of foodstuffs involves mass spectrometry analysis which requires a>24 h turnaround time in deployed military operations. This length of time is dangerous for personnel. Rapid identification of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) in food using a sensor that is biologically-based and easy to use eliminates that danger and would provide exactly what is needed for toxicity evaluation of food. In this Phase II, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a rapid and accurate biosensor prototype using mutant C. elegans to evaluate toxicity in food. This biosensor will use the nematode C. elegans as the model system and measure Green fluorescent protein (GFP) that has been linked to inducible promoters of genes responsive to specific stressors. Extended shelf life will be possible because the dauer stage within the lifecycle of C. elegans leaves the worm in stasis for extended periods of time until growth is resumed with improved conditions. By measuring the GFP response in a mixed population of mutant C. elegans, the outcome should be an accurate and sensitive assessment of chemical toxicity in food."
Enzymatic Degradation of Rocket Propellant Waste,FA9302-11-C-0008,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2011,2,733786.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Mehran Pazirandeh,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,mehranp@agavebio.com,"ABSTRACT: During the normal course of research, development, and testing by the DOD small quantities of environmentally hazardous waste propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics (PEP) are produced. The compliance costs and burden associated with open burn/open detonation operations are considerable, including permit fees, ground water, soil and air sampling, analysis and monitoring of environmental impacts, regulatory tracking and reporting, and compliance inspections. Research and development into alternative methods of small scale degradation is therefore needed. Agave BioSystems proposes to utilize a novel enzymatic process for the biological degradation of hazardous waste propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics. In the Phase I, proof of concept for an enzymatic degradation system was successfully demonstrated using the energetic material RDX. In the Phase II, a system for broad degradation of propellant waste, including ammonium perchlorate, TNT and RDX will be developed and delivered for field use. BENEFIT: Successful implementation of the Phase II program will lead to the design and installation of disposal systems at military rocket propellant development lab facilities that lack permitted OBOD facilities. This technology will also provide for the portable disposal of unexploded ordinance. A secondary commercial application is for manufacturers of low-order energetic pyrotechnics (fireworks, road and boating flares). One of the largest potential markets will be the ammonium perchlorate (AP) which is the oxidizer and primary ingredient in solid propellant for most large rocket motors. In addition there is a potential international market provided that the appropriate export controls can be maintained."
Malarial Vaccines Utilizing Antigen/Adjuvant Display on Viral-Like Particles,W81XWH-10-C-0005,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2011,2,629510.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 373-8601,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Mehran Pazirandeh,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,mehranp@agavebio.com,"Recent studies have suggested the potential of improved malarial vaccines by use of the viral-like particle (VLP)-linked immunogen approach. The VLP technology is being utilized for the development of vaccines for a variety of diseases. Agave BioSystems is creating a novel platform for development of malarial vaccines consisting of a VLP displayed malarial antigen/adjuvant based on the Norwalk virus (NV) capsid protein. The VLP will be engineered to express a candidate antigen in combination with a peptide adjuvant. These VLPs will be characterized, purified and delivered for testing of efficacy to stimulate cellular and humoral immune responses.In the Phase I, Agave BioSystems successfully demonstrated proof-of concept for this novel platform."
A Point-of-Care Field Assay for Dengue Viruses,W81XWH-10-C-0038,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2011,2,780000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,Principal Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"Dengue viruses are transmitted by mosquito vectors throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Four serotypes circulate, DEN-1 through -4, and immunity to one type does not preclude illness from another type and can exacerbate subsequent disease with another type. While dengue fever can be a mild infection, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) cause death at a high rate and are associated with multiple serotypes worldwide. Dengue fever symptoms, especially at the early acute stage, can resemble infection with other disease agents, such as malaria and rickettsial diseases, with different treatment regimens. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a recently developed technique with similar or better detection sensitivity and specificity compared to PCR assays, but allows a single temperature incubation and simple readout more suitable to field devices. LAMP also offers the potential of detection in less pure samples, such as blood, facilitating quick field sample preparation. Therefore, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a real-time reverse-transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (real-time RT-LAMP) diagnostic for detection of Dengue viruses in human serum."
Production Methods and Software for NIST Calibration Phantoms,SB1341-11-SE-0853,DOC,NIST,SBIR,2011,1,90000.00,Sigma-K Corp.,,,,AK,,Yes,No,No,,,,,Paul D. Kirven,,(919) 971-4287,dkirven@sigma-k.com,"Currently, there are over 10,000 MRI scanners used in the US alone. US citizens today are mobile and many times medical treatments may require MRI scans from several different facilities. Images from MRI scanners can also drift over time. There is a tremendous need for all medical imaging scanners to be on the same level. Sigma-K will develop the commercialization of the ISMRM/NIST MRI Calibration Phantom. Sigma-K will develop a manufacturing technique that will produce a phantom that is consistent and accurate over the phantom life of five years. Our production system will allow these phantoms to be sold at the target price of $2000 with a minimal annual sales of 100 units. Sigma-K will also provide a software package to accompany the phantom that will allow the user to easily make quantitative measurements of the scanned data."
SBIR Phase I: Novel method for Direct Frequency Component Decomposition: Electronic Neural Loops (ENLs).,1114110,NSF,NSF,SBIR,2011,1,150000.00,Variance Dynamical,645 G Street,Suite 100-613,Anchorage,AK,99501-3443,No,No,Yes,Andreas C. Tziolas,,9073012160,AndreasT@variancecorp.com,Andreas C. Tziolas,,9073012160,AndreasT@variancecorp.com,"This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to perform fundamental research into a novel method for signal analysis, using standing waves. The intellectual merit of this proposal is the development of an innovative set of physical design rules which could lead to seamless spectral component analysis of arbitrarily complex analog signals. Fourier analysis is a ubiquitous technique for encoding and decoding information from physical systems as well as electronic signals. Yet there have been minimal innovations in the methods for producing, say Fourier spectra, aside from improvements in computational speeds with which Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) and Discrete Fourier Transforms (DDFTs) are performed by Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) or computers. The device proposed is an electronic component called an Electronic Neural Loop (ENL), designed to promote resonances in a particular frequency. The method can be used to perform very fast frequency component identification. Several ENLs in parallel would have the capacity to decompose a broadband signal streams into frequency bins similar to Fourier frequency components, only faster. The ENL approach uses physics in place of computational methods and has not been investigated or suggested by any other company or research institution to date. The broader impact of this technology affects the essential methods currently used for signals processing. The ENL being an analog device does not require a digital sampling and framing stage, which introduces processing artifacts and limitations. As a circuit element it has countless application areas, many to yet be discovered. It replaces existing circuits comprised of more parts with simpler solutions having lower power consumption which is critical to today's handheld applications. It has tremendous market potential, allowing for continuous, real-time, on-chip Fourier analysis, with game-changing innovations to scientific spectrometric instrumentation, telecommunications, encryption, sensors for high radiation environments (nuclear reactors, space exploration), medical systems as well as numerous military uses."
Food Toxicity Detection Using C. elegans,W81XWH-10-C-0213,DOD,OSD,SBIR,2010,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Staff Scientist,6072720002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"Current toxicity testing of foodstuffs involves mass spectrometry analysis which requires a >24 h turnaround time in deployed military operations. This length of time is dangerous for personnel. Rapid identification of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) in food using a sensor that is biologically-based and easy to use eliminates that danger and would provide exactly what is needed for toxicity evaluation of food. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a rapid and accurate biosensor using mutant C. elegans to evaluate toxicity in food. This biosensor will use the nematode C. elegans as the model system and measure Green fluorescent protein (GFP) that has been linked to inducible promoters of genes responsive to specific stressors. Extended shelf life will be possible because the dauer stage within the lifecycle of C. elegans leaves the worm in stasis for extended periods of time until growth is resumed with improved conditions. By measuring the GFP response in a mixed population of mutant C. elegans, the outcome should be an accurate and sensitive assessment of chemical toxicity in food."
A High-Throughput Blood Esterase Panel Assay,W81XWH-10-C-0063,DOD,CBD,SBIR,2010,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Julien Fey,Senior Scientist,6072720002,jfey@agavebio.com,"Organophosphorus chemical warfare nerve agents (OP-CWA) are attractive to terrorist groups and rogue states as an inexpensive and accessible technology for chemical warfare. OP-CWA and organophosphate pesticides cause severe neurological symptoms and death by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE); the resulting excess acetylcholine accumulates and overstimulates the human or animal body. Other esterases and organophosphatases in the blood either bind (butyrylcholinesterase, BChE) or catalytically degrade (paraoxonase, PON1) OP-CWA. Therefore, it is critically important to be able to quickly monitor the human blood complement of OP-CWA enzymes to assess both susceptibility and current condition. For military and civilian clinical use, a high-throughput, minimally invasive assay system is needed to quickly and accurately screen large numbers of soldiers/agricultural workers/first responders for OP-CWA or OP-pesticide exposure. The currently available WRAIR assay is high-throughput, uses a minimal amount of whole blood, and is sensitive and accurate for AChE and BChE levels. An assay that additionally measures PON1 and albumin esterase activities relevant to OP degradation and/or binding is greatly needed to more fully assess OP-CWA or -pesticide susceptibility for individuals at risk."
Point-of-Care Diagnostic for Acute Q Fever using LAMP,W81XWH-09-C-0036,DOD,DOD,SBIR,2010,2,730000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Janet Huie,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,jhuie@agavebio.com,"Q fever, caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, presents with acute symptoms indistinguishable from many other blood infections. Chronic infection, more frequently developing in immunocompromised individuals, presents a high mortality rate (up to 60% of chronic cases) and often requires open-heart surgery to repair substantial valve damage. Q fever can be airborne or tick-borne and is a significant detriment in deployment conditions. It is important to diagnose Q-fever during its acute phase to direct appropriate treatment and identify personnel requiring follow-up monitoring for chronic disease. While serology tests have been commercialized for Q fever detection, it is necessary to test both IgG and IgM against two types of C. burnetii antigens to differentiate between acute and chronic disease stages. Additionally, a high false positive rate occurs for these assays, and the antibody response is difficult to detect early in infection. To eliminate these shortcomings, Agave BioSystems proposed to integrate a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction built into a point-of-care field diagnostic device. To date, we have been highly successful with the implementation of a breadboard device for real time readings and expect to continue the development of a hand-held, fully-enclosed device, capable of providing early detection of acute phase Q-Fever."
Water Toxicity Detection using Genetically Engineered Yeast,W81XWH-09-C-0073,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2010,2,730000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Staff Scientist,6072720002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"The rapid evaluation of drinking water toxicity in the field is a necessity for the safety of our soldiers. To achieve field portability and sensitive screening for identification of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) a handheld device that is biologically-based and easy to use with components that remain viable for 6 months would be ideal. In Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposed to develop an accurate and efficient cell-based biosensor using engineered yeast to rapidly evaluate toxicity in drinking water. Phase I results were highly successful in that Agave BioSystems developed a yeast biosensor exploiting yeast strains engineered to report changes in fluorescence upon exposure to chemical stress, resulting in proof-of-concept for this novel biosensor. This methodology utilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast measuring differences in GFP expression to ensure TIC detection accuracy establishing proof-of-concept for rapid detection of a range of toxicants between MEG and HLC. Additionally, this novel yeast strain can be lyophilized for long term storage and is expected to be responsive to several classes of TICs."
A Point-of-Care Field Assay for Dengue Viruses,W81XWH-10-C-0038,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2010,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,esmidt@irlabs.com,Janet Huie,Staff Scientist,6072720002,jhuie@agavebio.com,"Dengue viruses are transmitted by mosquito vectors throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Four serotypes circulate, DEN-1 through -4, and immunity to one type does not preclude illness from another type and can exacerbate subsequent disease with another type. While dengue fever can be a mild infection, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) cause death at a high rate and are associated with multiple serotypes worldwide. Dengue fever symptoms, especially at the early acute stage, can resemble infection with other disease agents, such as malaria and rickettsial diseases, with different treatment regimens. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a recently developed technique with similar or better detection sensitivity and specificity compared to PCR assays, but allows a single temperature incubation and simple readout more suitable to field devices. LAMP also offers the potential of detection in less pure samples, such as blood, facilitating quick field sample preparation. Therefore, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a real-time reverse-transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (real-time RT-LAMP) diagnostic for detection of Dengue viruses in human serum."
Water Toxicity Detection using Genetically Engineered Yeast,W81XWH-09-C-0073,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2010,2,1291865.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,(512) 656-6200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Staff Scientist,(607) 272-0002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"The rapid evaluation of drinking water toxicity in the field is a necessity for the safety of our soldiers. To achieve field portability and sensitive screening for identification of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) a handheld device that is biologically-based and easy to use with components that remain viable for 6 months would be ideal. In Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposed to develop an accurate and efficient cell-based biosensor using engineered yeast to rapidly evaluate toxicity in drinking water. Phase I results were highly successful in that Agave BioSystems developed a yeast biosensor exploiting yeast strains engineered to report changes in fluorescence upon exposure to chemical stress, resulting in proof-of-concept for this novel biosensor. This methodology utilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast measuring differences in GFP expression to ensure TIC detection accuracy establishing proof-of-concept for rapid detection of a range of toxicants between MEG and HLC. Additionally, this novel yeast strain can be lyophilized for long term storage and is expected to be responsive to several classes of TICs."
Evolving Waveforms for Acoustic Material Identification,N65538-10-M-0088,DOD,NAVY,SBIR,2010,1,70000.00,"Scientific Fishery Systems, Inc",PO Box 242065,,Anchorage,AK,99524-2065,No,Yes,No,Patrick Simpson,President,9075633474,pat@scifish.com,Patrick Simpson,President,9075633474,pat@scifish.com,"SciFish proposes to utilize Resonance Scattering Theory (RST) modeling to evolve a set of acoustic waveforms that provide optimal material identification while suppressing the affects of clutter and noise. Each waveform will be defined by its bandwidth, pulse width and signal type. Signal types will include FM, Hyperbolic FM, and Phase Shift Key Coded waveforms. An initial set of waveforms will be created from a random selection within each parameter space for each element of the waveform definition. After each of the waveforms has interrogated the target, a figure of merit will be used to rank each solution from best to worst. The best half of the population will be retained; the worst half will be replaced by randomly modifying each of the best half of the population. This process will be repeated until a waveform is evolved that meets our exit criteria. A figure of merit will be derived that emphasizes material identification with simultaneous rejection of clutter."
Organophosphate Degrading Enzymes,EP-D-09-013,EPA,EPA,SBIR,2009,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,Principal Scientist,6072720002,jtabb@agavebio.com,Agve BioSystems in collaboration with Carl A. Batt propose to develop decon-nanoparticles which will leverage ongoing opportunities in enzyme engineering and the fabrication of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles. Enhanced performance will be engineered into the system to improve the catalytic degradation of chemical agents. Through an iterative process optimizing the particles and the enzyme we will be incrementally improve the overall system. Coupled to this effort will be a parallel effort to develop high production levels of the enzyme to insure that the ultimate decontamination process is not only effective by economically feasible. The system that we will develop will also have application for the degradation of a number of organophosphates including those used as pesticide.he use of enzymes for bioremediation has been the focus of intense academic and commercial interest for over twenty years. Biological systems provide an attractive route to remediation of different sites contaminated by a variety of accidental and/or deliberate chemical agents. National expenditures in the early 1990¿s for environmental clean up was well over $100 billion and these costs have increased exponentially since then. If effective catalysts can be found and means to deliver them to the site of the contamination effectively developed there is a huge opportunity for this market. Overseas markets will also expend at the global demand for green processes and the recovery of contaminated areas continues.
Collective Protection for Military Working Dogs,W911QY-09-C-0136,DOD,CBD,SBIR,2009,2,750000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,"Shelter enclosures for military working dogs in the event of a CB attack is a technology gap identified by the Joint Requirements Office. Important parameters to consider in the design of protective enclosures include low weight and size to minimize transport requirements; rapid setup; and accommodation of canine physiological and psychological comfort needs while providing protection against CB agents. The overall operational weight of the enclosure would also be a function of its power requirements which in turn is a function of its operating mode. Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Gentex Corporation and Dr. Joseph Wakshlag of the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, is developing protective enclosures for military working dogs that meet these requirements. In the Phase I, this team was highly successful in defining the canine physiological and psychological parameters of importance to enclosure design; developing multiple designs to allow consideration for both powered and non-powered enclosures as well as active and passive materials; and demonstrating proof of concept for the protective capacity and long-term kenneling suitability of the designs."
Enzymatic Degradation of Rocket Propellant Waste,FA9302-09-M-0004,DOD,USAF,SBIR,2009,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Mehran Pazirandeh,Staff Scientist,6072720002,mehranp@agavebio.com,"During the normal course of research, development, and testing by the DOD small quantities of environmentally hazardous waste propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics (PEP) are produced. The compliance costs and burden associated with open burn/open detonation operations are considerable, including permit fees, ground water, soil and air sampling, analysis and monitoring of environmental impacts, regulatory tracking and reporting, and compliance inspections. Research and development into alternative methods of small scale degradation is therefore needed. Agave BioSystems proposes to utilize a novel enzymatic process for the biological degradation of hazardous waste propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics. In this Phase I an enzymatic degradation system will be developed and demonstrated using the energetic material RDX. The enzymes required for the complete degradation of RDX will be recruited from various organisms through genetic engineering and biochemical methods. BENEFITS: Successful implementations of the Phase I and Phase II programs will lead to the design and installation of disposal systems at military rocket propellant development lab facilities that lack permitted OBOD facilities. This technology will also provide for the portable disposal of unexploded ordinance. A secondary commercial application is for manufacturers of low-order energetic pyrotechnics (fireworks, road and boating flares). One of the largest potential markets will be the ammonium perchlorate (AP) which is the oxidizer and primary ingredient in solid propellant for most large rocket motors. In addition there is a potential international market provided that the appropriate export controls can be maintained."
Cell-based High Throughput Screening of Compounds Improving Mitochondrial Energetics,W911NF-09-C-0104,DOD,ARMY,STTR,2009,2,750000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Julien Fey,Staff Scientist,6072720002,jfey@agavebio.com,"Improving age-related decrease in cognitive and physical capabilities has tremendous potential for the civilian population and military personnel, including prolonged aptitude of highly-trained military personnel and lowering of healthcare costs. Mitocho"
Point-of-Care Diagnostic for Acute Q Fever using LAMP,W81XWH-09-C-0036,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2009,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Janet Huie,Staff Scientist,6072720002,jhuie@agavebio.com,"Q fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii and presents with acute symptoms indistinguishable from many other blood infections. Chronic infection, however, can result in endocarditis, with a high mortality rate (up to 60% of chronic Q fever cases) and requiring open-heart surgery to repair substantial valve damage in many cases. Q fever can be airborne or tick-borne, and is associated with sheep and other livestock. Q fever is a significant factor in deployment conditions in Iraq and Afganistan. It is important to diagnose Q fever during its acute phase to direct appropriate treatment and to identify personnel requiring follow-up monitoring for chronic disease. While serology tests have been commercialized for Q fever detection, it is necessary to test both IgG and IgM against two types of Coxiella burnetii antigens to differentiate between acute and chronic disease stages. In addition, a high false positive rate occurs for these assays. To eliminate these shortcomings, Agave BioSystems proposes to modify a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction built into a point-of-care primitive field diagnostic device."
Malarial Vaccines Utilizing Antigen/Adjuvant Display on Viral-Like Particles,W81XWH-10-C-0005,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2009,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Mehran Pazirandeh,Staff Scientist,6072720002,mehranp@agavebio.com,"Development of an effective malarial vaccine has been slow, although recent success in vaccine development has been achieved by using the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite surface protein (CSP)-hepatitis B surface antigen fusions, in conjunction with hepatitis B particles (the RTS, S formulation). The results of these studies suggest the potential of improved malarial vaccines by use of the viral-like particle (VLP)-linked immunogen approach. The VLP technology is being utilized for the development of vaccines for a variety of diseases. Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a novel platform for development of malarial vaccines consisting of a VLP displayed malarial antigen/adjuvant based on the Norwalk virus (NV) capsid protein. The NV-VLP will be engineered to express a candidate antigen in combination with a peptide adjuvant. These VLPs will be characterized, purified and delivered for testing of efficacy to stimulate cellular and humoral immune responses."
Water Toxicity Detection using Genetically Engineered Yeast,W81XWH-09-C-0073,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2009,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Staff Scientist,6072720002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"The rapid evaluation of drinking water toxicity in the field is a necessity for the safety of our soldiers. To achieve field portability and sensitive screening for identification of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) a handheld device that is biologically-based and easy to use with components that remain viable for 6 months would be ideal. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop an accurate and efficient cell-based biosensor using engineered yeast to rapidly evaluate toxicity in drinking water. This methodology will use Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast measuring two different outcomes to ensure TIC detection accuracy. This novel yeast strain will be lyophilized for long term storage and is expected to be responsive to a variety of TICs."
Field Sensor for Measuring Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Concentrations in Drinking Water,FA9302-09-C-0019,DOD,USAF,SBIR,2009,2,540000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Mehran Pazirandeh,Staff Scientist,6072720002,mehranp@agavebio.com,"Rapid detection of the total trihalomethanes (TTHM) in treated drinking water is essential for compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts (DBP) Rule, which limits the maximum contaminant level of TTHM in drinking water. The current detection method for TTHM determination involves sending samples to EPA certified laboratories for gas chromatography analysis; a method that is both expensive and time consuming. In the Phase I, Agave BioSystems demonstrated proof of concept for a sensitive colorimetric TTHM detection system based on a modified Fujiwara reaction, which can be integrated into a portable field sensor. This assay system utilizes a modified Fujiwara reaction to yield a detectable color product that correlates directly to the TTHM levels of the water sample. In this Phase II, Agave BioSystems proposes to construct a compact and portable rapid response TTHM water monitoring system for field use. BENEFIT: TTHM is linked to increased rates of bladder and colorectal cancers, and several studies link TTHM to heart, liver, and central nervous system damage. The EPA estimates that lowering TTHM levels in as few as 1,200 small drinking water systems could prevent up to 20 cases of bladder cancer per year, resulting in economic benefits of up to $110 million per year. Another documented health risk is the increased rate of miscarriage and congenital birth defects in areas with high TTHM levels. A Virginia based class action lawsuit seeking more than $1 billion in damages, claims that peak TTHM occurrences in one water distribution system may have led to multiple miscarriages. A cost effective and easy to use field portable sensor, such as the one proposed by Agave BioSystems, would enable drinking water delivery systems of any size to effectively monitor the levels of TTHM in their water supply on a more frequent basis, and allow proactively treating TTHM levels before they are a health threat."
Vessel Launched Unmanned Aircraft System for Marine Debris Detection and Tracking,WC133R-08-CN-0136,DOC,DOC,SBIR,2009,2,399997.00,"Airborne Technologies, Inc.",4338 N. GUNFLINT TRL,,WASILLA,AK,99654 9217,No,No,No,Timothy S. Veenstra,President,9073571500,tveenstra@atiak.com,Timothy S. Veenstra,President,9073571500,tveenstra@atiak.com,"Airborne Technologies, Inc. Phase II effort will be to build and demonstrate a low-cost marinized Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that can be operated easily from small or large vessels and is capable of reliable and repeatable operations in an ocean environment. The UAS will be utilized for the detecting and tracking of marine debris, sea-life or other objects in the open ocean. The system includes a small UAS deployable buoy that will communicate its GPS position back to the vessel via a satellite communication network. Using anomaly detection software designed under this project, the UAS will locate items in the water and either autonomously or through remote operator input, mark the location of the anomaly by deploying a tracking buoy. A number of imaging sensors will be tested and evaluated for effectiveness in open ocean detection of various targets, both biological and anthropogenic. The data can be processed or stored either onboard the aircraft or transmitted back to the vessel. The complete system will be robust and designed with simple user interaction in mind; it will be portable, adaptable and scalable to a variety of vessels and applications."
SBIR Phase I: Autonomous Underwater Animal Tracker,0944737,NSF,NSF,SBIR,2009,1,150000.00,"Scientific Fishery Systems, Inc",PO Box 242065,,Anchorage,AK,99524-2065,No,Yes,No,Patrick K. Simpson,BA,9075633474,pat@scifish.com,Patrick K. Simpson,BA,9075633474,pat@scifish.com,"This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop an autonomous underwater animal tracker, an underwater robot that can follow a crab or fish for weeks to months at a time. Satellite tracking has allowed huge, rapid advances in understanding behaviors and requirements of large animals. The opportunity to extend tracking to a wider range of marine life using an autonomous underwater animal tracker is expected to yield similar advances. To produce this robot we will modify an underwater glider, making it capable of detecting, localizing and tracking a marine animal that has an acoustic transmitter attached to, or embedded in, its body. With over a dozen large tracking studies currently underway worldwide and more planned, there is tremendous commercial potential for a service-oriented business model to prosper. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is a much more detailed understanding of the behavior of the world?s fish that travel our oceans. As the world population grows, we continue to place greater strain on our planet?s resources. There is a need to gain more definitive answers regarding the impact humans are having on marine life, but collecting data from animals is a highly complex and expensive proposition. As an example, consider the recent Census of Marine Life, a global network of researchers in more than 80 nations engaged in a 10-year scientific initiative to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of life in the oceans. Unfortunately, much of our knowledge regarding the distributions and migrations of our marine populations is based on independent samples often taken once per year, such as trawl sampling, or using stationary data collection nodes such as those deployed by the Census of Marine Life?s Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking joint effort."
Phase II : Rural Coastal Alaska Fish Waste Conversion,,USDA,USDA,SBIR,2009,2,349959.00,"Scientific Fishery Systems, Inc",PO Box 242065,,Anchorage,AK,99524-2065,No,Yes,No,Patrick K. Simpson,President,9075633474,pat@scifish.com,Patrick K. Simpson,President,9075633474,pat@scifish.com,"The Alaskan fishing industry produces over one million metric tons of by-product and waste annually. Rural coastal Alaska communities have been using the grind and dump method for decades. There is an opportunity to expand existing onshore processing in rural coastal communities and provide additional economic value from fish waste and, simultaneously, reducing or eliminating the impact of current fish waste disposal practices on the local community. There are more than 200 fish processing plants in Alaska, however, fish waste processing occurs at only ten of largest shore-based plants that extract fish meal and fish oil for use as aquaculture feed ingredients for fish and shrimp and as livestock and poultry feed ingredients. These waste processing facilities process 400 metric ton (400 MT) of waste per day, or more. The cost for these plants is several million dollars, they require a tremendous volume of fish that is only available at a small number of ports, and they are expensive to operate. In addition, the fish processing plants with waste recovery facilities focus the majority of their processing on Pollock and Cod, with only a fraction of their throughput dedicated to salmon. The majority of the smaller processing plants are dominated by the seasonal salmon processing, which makes the economics of these ventures more difficult. For years there has been a need to develop fish waste processing equipment that is significantly smaller and less expensive than current systems, opening up the opportunity for more than 100 smaller seafood processing plants to extract greater value from their product. Despite many feasibility analyses that have been conducted over the past twenty years, affordable fish waste processing equipment with a small footprint has not been introduced and demonstrated that can serve these smaller rural coastal processors because of a combination of high risk and lack of capital. Recently, the prices for the two primary salmon byproducts, meal and oil, have increased dramatically because the marketplace places a premium on human-grade salmon oil and salmon meal. The demand for Wild Alaskan Salmon meal and oil has changed the economic potential for processing salmon waste at lower volumes at the smaller scale seafood processing plants that serve rural coastal Alaska."
Field Sensor for Measuring Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Concentrations in Drinking Water,FA9302-08-M-0011,DOD,USAF,SBIR,2008,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Mehran Pazirandeh,Staf Scientist,6072720002,mehranp@agavebio.com,"Rapid detection of the total trihalomethanes (TTHM) in treated drinking water is essential for compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts (DBP) Rule, which limits the maximum contaminant level of TTHM in drinking water to 80 parts per billion. The current detection method for TTHM determination involves sending samples to EPA certified laboratories for gas chromatography analysis; a method that is both expensive and time consuming. The ideal TTHM water monitoring system would be a hand-held, rapid response device that would detect TTHM levels and aid in the identification of contamination sites before they develop into larger problems. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a colorimetric/fluorometric TTHM detection system based on a modified Fujiwara reaction, which will be subsequently integrated into a portable field sensor. This assay system will elute THMs, filtered from a water sample, into a reaction buffer and through a modified Fujiwara reaction, yield a detectable color or fluorescent product that correlates directly to the TTHM levels of the water sample."
Multiplex Lyme Disease Diagnostic,1R43AI078570-01,HHS,HHS,SBIR,2008,1,100001.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,,,,nsalazar@agavebio.com,,,,,"DESCRIPTION (provided by investigator): Lyme disease, caused by the gram-negative spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by Ixodid tick species, is the leading vector-borne infectious disease in the United States, with a steady rise in the number
of cases reported each year. The most common Lyme disease symptom, the classic bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans or EM rash) in endemic areas, can indicate the need for immediate treatment without accompanying diagnostic testing. However, 3-10% of Lyme dis
ease cases proceed to less well diagnosed secondary symptoms without presentation or recognition of the EM rash. Current diagnostic testing consists of a two-tier system, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first tier test
is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the second tier consists of immunoblot (IB) analysis. The inherent flaw of the most commonly used first tier ELISA test, using whole cell sonicate (WCS), is its lack of specificity to B. burgdorferi antigen
s, yielding a high false positive rate. Additionally, the second-tier IB is costly, time-consuming, and technically challenging. As a result, recent efforts have focused on developing a single tier test format by increasing the specificity of the ELISA thr
ough the use of single or combinations of recombinant and peptide antigens. Although more than 70 serological Lyme disease tests have been developed and approved by the FDA, none has succeeded in replacing the WCS ELISA and the two-tier testing format, due
to similar levels of false positives and/or additional false negatives due to insufficient antigen presentation. Agave BioSystems has developed a wide range of multiplex microsphere assays, capable of simultaneously and quantitatively detecting individual
serum antibody responses to a panel of antigens. This technology enables high throughput evaluation of serum responses to individual antigens and combinations of antigens and has been validated against ELISA and IB results. Therefore, Agave BioSystems pro
poses to develop a Borrelia burgdorferi microsphere assay capable of replacing the Lyme disease two-tier test format. The microsphere assay will maintain the requisite level of sensitivity, while providing a significant improvement in specificity over the
WCS ELISA and broader antigen coverage compared to peptide and recombinant antigen ELISA assays. In the Phase II, a multiplex assay will be developed that allows quantifiable serum antibody response to over ten different antigens within a single multiplex
assay. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Lyme disease is the leading vector-borne infectious disease in the United States, with a steady rise in the number of cases reported each year. Current diagnostic testing consists of a two-tier system which is time-consuming
, technically challenging, and has a high false positive rate. Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a Borrelia burgdorferi microsphere assay capable of replacing the Lyme disease two-tier test format. This microsphere assay will maintain the requisite leve
l of sensitivity, while providing a significant improvement in specificity over the WCS ELISA and broader antigen coverage compared to peptide and recombinant antigen ELISA assays."
Branched DNA Diagnostic for Malaria Parasites,W81XWH-09-C-0018,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2008,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathie Berghorn,Staff Scientist,6072720002,kberghorn@agavebio.com,"The key to effective management of malaria is accurate diagnosis that is also rapid. The ""gold standard"" microscopy is time-consuming and labor-intensive and suffers from retirement of microscopic diagnostic experts and inaccurate slide reading. A field-deployable diagnostic method that is specific for the different malaria parasites and is capable of quickly processing potential patients would be highly valuable for the treatment process. The identification of parasite specific RNAs has great potential as a biomarker for diagnosis of malaria. A parasite-specific and highly sensitive diagnostic method that is rapid will allow for the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment regime for malaria. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a fast, fluorescent RNA diagnostic assay utilizing branched DNA signal amplification for rapid detection and analysis of malaria parasites P. falciparum and P. vivax."
Ribozymes for In Vivo Degradation of G-Nerve Agents,FA8650-08-M-6914,DOD,CBD,SBIR,2008,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Janet Huie,Staff Scientist,6072720002,jhuie@agavebio.com,"Given the possibility to administer prophylactic doses of protein bioscavengers inactivating OP nerve agents before they reach their acetylcholinesterase target, much attention has been given to proteins such as human butyrylcholinesterase and paraoxonase I. As small nucleic acid catalysts can exhibit triphosphoesterase activities, the identification of new molecules active against nerve agents would constitute a significant breakthrough for the development of a biopharmaceutical approach against OP agents, with rapid optimization of catalytic rate, stability, large-scale production, storage and formulation. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop novel catalytically active oligonucleotides against G-nerve agents using high throughput selection in E. coli. The development of a high-throughput selection method in E. coli to identify novel RNA molecules able to hydrolyze nerve agents constitutes a promising and innovative approach. Unlike other methods typically used for the de novo creation of new RNA or DNA catalysts, this in vivo approach will directly identify molecules combining favorable binding and dissociation constants, as well as strong catalytic activity."
Collective Protection for Military Working Dogs,W911QY-08-P-0393,DOD,CBD,SBIR,2008,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,"Shelter enclosures for military working dogs in the event of a CB attack is a technology gap identified by the Joint Requirements Office. Important parameters to consider in the design of protective enclosures include low weight and size to minimize transport requirements; rapid setup; and accommodation of canine physiological and psychological comfort needs. The overall operational weight of the enclosure would also be a function of its power requirements which in turn is a function of its operating mode. Therefore, Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Gentex Corporation and Dr. Joseph Wakshlag of the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, proposes to design and develop protective enclosures for military working dogs that meet these parameters. In the Phase I, this team will define the canine physiological and psychological parameters of importance to enclosure design; develop multiple designs to allow consideration for both powered and non-powered enclosures as well as active and passive materials; and demonstrate proof of concept for the protective capacity and long-term kenneling suitability of the designs."
Vessel Launched Unmanned Aerial System for Marien Debris Detection and Tracking,WC133R-08-CN-0136,DOC,DOC,SBIR,2008,1,94969.00,"Airborne Technologies, Inc.",4338 N. GUNFLINT TRL,,WASILLA,AK,99654 9217,No,No,No,Timothy S. Veenstra,President,9073571500,tveenstra@atiak.com,Timothy S. Veenstra,President,9073571500,tveenstra@atiak.com,"Airborne Technologies, Inc. Phase I effort will be to design and demonstrate the feasibility of developing a low-cost, marinized Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) that can be operated easily from small or large vessels and is capable of reliable and repeatable operations in an ocean environment. The UAS will be utilized for the detecting and tracking of marine debris, sea-life or other objects in the open ocean. Using anomaly detection software, the UAS will be able to locate items in the water and either autonomously or thru remote operator input, mark the location of the anomaly by deploying a small tracking buoy with a satellite modem. The Phase I study will prepare us for a future Phase II program of building and testing the Unmanned Aerial System for operations from a small vessel in an ocean environment."
Exercise Torpedo Buoyancy (Recovery) System,N65538-08-M-0052,DOD,NAVY,SBIR,2008,1,69856.00,"Alaska Native Technologies, LLC",PO Box 241085,,Anchorage,AK,-,No,No,No,Paul Greenough,General Manager,3606976785,paulg@alaskanativetech.com,Joseph Imlach,Chief Mechanical Engineer,9075690268,joe@alaskanativetech.com,"ANT has recently developed a similar recovery system for our own autonomous vehicle. ANT's current system lifts a vehicle of lighter negative buoyancy (~64lbs rather than 200 lbs). The system is also designed to operate at less maximum depth (200 m, rather than 900 ft). These changes will necessitate the use of a larger volume lift bag and a modified compressed gas canister for the MK54 torpedo."
SBIR Phase I: Tribal Project Solutions,0740181,NSF,NSF,SBIR,2008,1,100000.00,"Alaska Project Solutions, Inc.",2100 E 63rd,,Anchorage,AK,99507 2043,Yes,No,No,Joan D. Herrmann,AA,9073349212,joanh@gci.net,Joan D. Herrmann,AA,9073349212,joanh@gci.net,"This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to provide an information technology based software system that will support productivity for Tribal grantees using a culturally comprehensible, project management tool. The intellectual merit of this project is an enabling technology that integrates Native ways of knowing and learning with Native ways of doing technology. Research efforts will identify and document business, technical, and cultural requirements to develop the function and constraints of the software. Strategic partnerships include a multinational software company, a rural Alaskan Tribal consortium, and Academic institution. The specific Phase I objectives are to 1) investigate the design requirements and user features for an information based software system that promotes efficiency and success for Tribal grant projects management; 2) assess the commercial potential of the software system compatibility and potential to be manufactured for targeted markets, and 3) provide a best practices model for IT educators, researchers, and developers to integrate cross-cultural approaches into technology design and use. This project has the potential to impact a broad market of Tribal grantees and commercial software industries and will enable Tribal staff to take ownership of their grants in a way that contributes to successful programs, and to learning and career advancement. Technology design will help entry-level staff effectively manage projects while learning about administrative requirements and program implementation. Successful, culturally comprehensive development of the software interface will foster cross-cultural technology design opportunities
and will present a best practices model for the IT industry in developing culturally relevant products."
"SBIR Phase I: A Hydrogen Fuel Demonstration Project at Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska",0741121,NSF,NSF,SBIR,2008,1,100000.00,Chena Hot Springs Resort,PO Box 58740,,Fairbanks,AK,99711 0740,Yes,Yes,Yes,Gwen P. Holdmann,BA,9075904577,gwen@yourownpower.com,Gwen P. Holdmann,BA,9075904577,gwen@yourownpower.com,"This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will build on an existing 400 kilowatt binary geothermal power plant. This power plant can supply more electricity than is needed during normal business operations, and because the grid is completely isolated due to its remote location (North Pole, Alaska), there is no use for this excess power. This project will use the excess electricity which would otherwise go to waste; to generate hydrogen on a continual basis. Stranded geothermal energy is an ideal renewable resource to tap for hydrogen production due to its high availability and relatively low cost of power generation equipment. Additionally, small scale, remote hydrogen production and use in arctic climates present unique technical challenges which will be quantified and addressed as part of this project. This project will further enable the transfer of technology to native Alaskans in other rural communities in Alaska. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will be the ability to significantly address the increasing cost of power generation in remote communities; such as those in Alaska. According to the Alaska Energy Authority, the cost of power generation in rural villages can approach 90 cents per kilowatt/hour (kWhr) using diesel generators, and averages 46 cents per kWhr. High fuel costs and evidence of global climate change are strong motivators for seeking alternatives to traditional generation technology, and create an opportunity for Alaska to become a leader in renewable energy and fuel storage technology. There is growing consensus about the importance of developing
renewable resources for long term economic well-being in the face of declining oil production and rising fuel costs. Alaska is an energy producing and exporting state, and while today this energy is primarily derived from fossil fuels, Alaska has the resources available to transition into becoming a vital player in a future world renewable energy and hydrogen economy."
Multi-Media Imagery Program for Breast Cancer Patients (Phase II),2R44CA117597-02A2,HHS,HHS,SBIR,2008,2,963144.00,MIND MATTERS RESEARCH,MIND MATTERS RESEARCH,7926 PORT ORFORD DRIVE,ANCHORAGE,AK,99507,Yes,No,No,,,,lfreeman@gci.net,,,,,"DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): To improve quality of life and reduce stress for breast cancer survivors. Phase II Aims: (1) To demonstrate the clinical efficacy (i.e., improved quality of life, stress reduction, participant satisfaction with product)
of the Envision the Rhythms of Life program and (2) to establish the technical merits of the program's distance-delivery (videoconferencing hardware and software) and instructional technology (i.e., animations, graphically enhanced PowerPoint instructio
nal materials, full-color program manuals, art-as-imagery, and audio-imagery). Envision the Rhythms of Life instructs breast cancer survivors in the practice of individualized, emotionally supportive, and biologically accurate imagery and consists of 5,
3-hour long, interactive classes and between-class instructor support. Instructional Options: Option 1 delivers the program technology (animations, PowerPoint, manuals, art, audio-art) with instructor and 15 participants in the same room. Option 2 delivers
the program at-a-distance, to a small group of 15, via videoconferencing software and camera systems (Alaska and Seattle) to low, moderate or high bandwidth areas. Each option delivers program three times (total of 45 participants for each option). A webs
ite portal provides all program information and materials. Design and Method: Program will be delivered to 135 breast cancer survivors who have completed conventional care (surgery, radiation, IV chemotherapy) for at least six weeks. Differences in option
1 and 2 outcomes will be compared to each other and to controls; combined outcomes of option 1 and 2 will be compared to controls; and waitlist control outcomes will be compared to their extended baseline. Long-Term Objectives: This innovative project inte
grates technology with bandwidth-sensitive multi-media conferencing strategies to deliver a virtual mind-body, imagery intervention. The technology will allow seamless program delivery to interested survivors across the country during Phase III. Instructio
nal technology, designed per Phase I participant feedback, will serve to jump-start' potent imagery practice and will optimize clinical efficacy. Commercial application and survivor participation is not limited by location, work schedule, or health status
, addressing issues of barriers to access of care. Although desirable, instructional options 1 and 2 do not require survivors to have computer skills or internet access. The program is designed to be culturally sensitive and supports individual spiritual p
ractices. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This program addresses NCI and IOM summary reports that call for individualized supportive care for cancer survivors suffering disease-related distress. Changes in two disease-education program modules would allow the pro
gram to be used as supportive therapy for other forms of cancer across the country."
Rural Coastal Alaska Fish Waste Utilization,,USDA,USDA,SBIR,2008,1,80000.00,"Scientific Fishery Systems, Inc",PO Box 242065,,Anchorage,AK,99524-2065,No,Yes,No,Patrick K. Simpson,President,9075633474,pat@scifish.com,Patrick K. Simpson,President,9075633474,pat@scifish.com,"The Alaskan fishing industry produces over one million metric tons of by-product and waste annually. Rural coastal Alaska communities have been using the grind and dump method for decades. There is an opportunity to expand existing onshore processing in rural coastal communities and provide additional economic value from fish waste and, simultaneously, reducing or eliminating the impact of current fish waste disposal practices on the local community."
"Carbon Nanofibers, Testing, and Fabrication",FA8650-08-M-5024,DOD,USAF,SBIR,2008,1,99914.00,Sigma-K Corp.,,,,AK,,Yes,No,No,Saundrs Kirven,President,9195968487,skirven@sigma-k.com,P. D. Kirven,Chief Investogator,9195968487,dkirven@sigma-k.com,"Carbon Nanotubes have great potential of adding strength in composite materials. In order for carbon nanotubes to be used in prepregging, fibers with diameters in the 7-10 micron range are needed. The carbon nanotubes need to be bundled and twisted to form appropriate size fiber tows. Current technology does not allow carbon nanotubes to be spun at a high enough rate to effectively produce enough tows for large scale projects. Sigma-K Corporation recently demonstrated the concept and will develop a high speed spinning system to spin the carbon nanotubes into yarns with tow size diameters. Our system will allow carbon nanotubes to be used in composites that are needed in high strength applications such as armor and air frames."
"Improving Combustion Efficiency and Emissions for Logistically-Practical and Cost-Sustainable Field Operation of an MSW Burn-Management Unit Specifically Applicable to the Unique Circumstances Faced by the Small, Isolated, and Remote Communities in Alaska",EP-D-08-0044,EPA,EPA,SBIR,2008,1,70000.00,Tok Welding and Fabrication,HC63,Box 1313A,Tok,AK,99780,No,No,Yes,Martin C. Marshall,Owner,9078835055,christokmarshall@hotmail.com,Martin C. Marshall,Owner,9078835055,christokmarshall@hotmail.com,"Approximately 180 to 225 very remote communities, the bulk inaccessible by road, with populations averaging 200 to 500 people, are located in Alaska for which the open burning of municipal solid waste is prevalent, inevitable, and necessary to minimize environmental health concerns. Other waste management options, including conventional incinerators, are not feasible for this unique population group, overwhelmingly comprised of Alaska Native Villages.
A decade ago, open dump burning and household barrel burning dominated waste management practices. Today, contained communal burning in what are termed Â¿burnboxesÂ¿ is the accepted combustion method. These units have proven affordable and adaptable to challenging village operational needs and unique operating conditions.
It is well established that even contained and designed open burning presents a significant potential health risk, but in the absence of a feasible alternative, waste burning will continue. In fact, without burnboxes, open dump burning, burning in barrels in town, disposal in drinking and food source water bodies, increased disease transmission and contact risks, increased in-town waste storage, and increased fire danger will present in their place. For the foreseeable future, the resultant cumulative environmental health risk of eliminating burnboxes would be considerably higher.
Thus, this project seeks to improve the emissions performance of the burnbox while maintaining its target community usability. While not measured in situ, burnboxes are thought to operate at temperatures between 600Â°F and 1200Â°F. Conventional incinerators operate at temperatures in excess of 1600Â°F (typically higher). The burn temperature of burnboxes is thus considered to be a primary factor in their poorer emissions. In Phase I, Tok Welding and Fabrication seeks to develop a higher temperature waste combustion unit via the manufacture of a composite chamber wall of steel-sandwiched Insulfrax, a bio-soluble calcium-magnesium-silicate insulative material designed to withstand continuous temperatures of up to 1000Â°C (1832Â°F). To evaluate the results, a pilot longitudinal comparative study will be performed, with the single- and composite-wall units operated side-by-side under village field conditions. Ambient weather will be recorded via a Davis field weather station, and burnbox temperatures will be measured via high temperature monitoring probes and a hand-held laser unit as backup. The resulting heat retention of the innovation is anticipated to produce substantially higher burn temperatures compared to the current unit. The improved emissions and reduced potential exposure duration (reduced burn time) will incur only a nominal increase in capital cost, with expected zero impact on the current ultra-low operational and maintenance design."
Carbon Nanotube-Based Filters for Aerosol Sample Collection,W9132V-07-C-0014,DOD,CBD,SBIR,2007,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,Principal Scientist,6072720002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"Aerosols represent one of the more efficient methods to distribute biological and chemical agents throughout the atmosphere. Small aerosol droplets can be readily inhaled and easily penetrate deep into the lungs where they lodge in bronchial alveoli. Within the alveoli, chemical and biological agents can breach epithelial and endothelial cell layers and enter the bloodstream, where they cause damage and disease. Rapid collection and analysis of aerosols containing potential biological and chemical threat agents will be essential in determining the nature of the threat agents as well as planning measures to combat and neutralize these threats. In this Phase I program, Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Dr. Randy Vander Wal of the University Space Research Association, proposes to develop a novel aerosol collection system based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesized directly on stainless steel (SS) mesh. The high surface area, structural robustness and inert nature of CNTs grown on SS mesh make them ideal for use in such an aerosol collection system."
CNT-Based Smart Electrostatic Filters for Capturing Nanoparticulate Lunar Regolith,NNJ07JB21C,NASA,NASA,SBIR,2007,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe T. Salazar,Business Official,5126711369,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel I. Tabb,Principal Investigator,6072720002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"The abrasive, reactive, and ubiquitous nature of lunar regolith created significant and serious problems during the Apollo moon missions. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Dr. Randy Vander Wal of the Universities Space Research Association, propose to develop next generation smart filters using novel carbon nanotube (CNT)-based structures in electrostatic devices. Since CNTs have extremely high surface area, can function without the mass transfer limitations of traditional filtrations systems, and they can be charged to emit very high charge densities, they constitute an ideal material for integration into spacecraft air handling systems as electrostatic filtration components. The overall goal of this program is to build upon the unique structural and electronic nature of carbon nanotubes to create novel smart filters. By synthesizing the CNTs in situ on solid mesh supports and integrating them into a novel electrostatic particle collection unit, we aim to create novel filtration media capable of removing airborne lunar regolith from spacecraft airlock and cabin atmospheres."
Carbon Nanotube-Based Adsorbents for Volatile Air Contaminants,NNJ07JE25C,NASA,NASA,STTR,2007,2,600000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe J. Salazar,Business Official,5126711369,,Joel S. Tabb,Principal Investigator,8173790100,jtabb@agavebio.com,"In completing the Phase I SBIR, Agave BioSystems and the Universities Space Research Association, have successfully demonstrated proof of concept for the use of novel carbon nanotube (CNT)-based structures as next generation smart adsorbents for the adsorption and destruction of potentially toxic air contaminants. Since CNTs have an extremely high surface area, can be readily modified with metals or functional groups, and can function without the mass transfer limitations of traditional activated carbon, they are an ideal material for integration into spacecraft air handling systems. In the Phase II program, we will build upon the unique structural and chemical nature of carbon nanotubes to construct a prototype system utilizing these smart adsorbents."
Xenopus Melanophore-Based Toxicity Sensor for Water,W81XWH-07-C-0107,DOD,ARMY,STTR,2007,1,99999.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Theresa Curtis,Senior Scientist,6072720002,tcurtis@agavebio.com,"Deployed armed forces often have to rely on water that is produced from decentralized sources, which presents significant difficulties for assuring the water is free of chemical toxicants. Analysis of these water supplies often requires complex instrumentation that is not practical for field use. An innovative alternative is the use of cell-based biosensors that can rapidly assess the general toxicity of the water sample and can be made field-portable. The use of living test organisms is a reliable way of measuring the biological impact or toxicity of unknown samples. Agave BioSystems has successfully demonstrated a broad-ranging water toxicity monitoring system using electrical impedance measurements across endothelial cell monolayers. While this system has proven sensitive to many chemicals of interest, the Army desires to extend detection capability to a broader class of toxicants including neurotoxins. Therefore, in collaboration with Dr. Vladimir Gelfand of Northwestern University and in consultation with Dr. Ethan Lerner of Harvard University, Agave BioSystems proposes to demonstrate that Xenopus melanophores can be used as a powerful field toxicity detection system for a wide variety of waterborne toxicants including neurotoxins."
Detection of Explosive Materials Using an Encapsulated Fluorescent Bioprobe,W9132V-07-C-0017,DOD,ARMY,STTR,2007,2,750000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,Principal Scientist,6072720002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"The use of explosives over the last 100 years has left up to 16,000 military ranges contaminated with highly toxic compounds. A major challenge to the remediation of these ranges is identifying the location of persistent explosives residues. To meet this challenge, Agave BioSystems in collaboration with Universities Space Research Agency (USRA) is developing an encapsulated fluorescent bioprobe for in situ detection of explosive materials. The bioprobe developed uses a displacement immunoassay and fluorescence quenching to detect the presence of specific explosives residues. In the Phase I, a bioprobe was developed specifically for TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene). This fluorescent bioprobe is encapsulated within novel nanoporous silica microspheres. Encapsulation within nanometer-sized pores in the microspheres provides a protective structure to stabilize the bioprobes and minimize environmental influences. Protecting the bioprobes from micron-sized clays and other materials present in soil will allow development of a robust and sensitive detection system. In the Phase I effort Agave BioSystems successfully demonstrated probe development, encapsulation, and detection of TNT. The Phase II effort will focus on scale up of materials, developing assays to detect multiple agents, and adapting the assay for stand-off detection of explosives residues under field conditions."
"Geoacoustic Sea Bottom Characterization Using Passive, Cost-Effective Sensors",N00039-08-C-0007,DOD,NAVY,SBIR,2007,1,69494.00,"Alaska Native Technologies, LLC",PO Box 241085,,Anchorage,AK,-,No,No,No,Paul Greenough,General manager,3606976785,paulg@alaskanativetech.com,Gerald F. Denny,Chief Sonar Engineer,3606976785,skip@alaskanativetech.com,"Alaska Native Technologies (ANT) and Johns Hopkins University-Applied Physics Lab (JHU-APL) have teamed to present an innovative, solution to the acoustic inversion sensor problem by combining a new, cost effective, high gain, broadband array (JHU, sponsored by ONR Code 32) with a new UUV (glider, ANT, sponsored by ONR Code 321) designed to operate in littoral areas that has extensive onboard processing capability and communications, JHU has been developing a new array composed of inexpensive PVDF wire. The compact array has been successfully tested and would fit on the nose of a new glider. Littoral Glider (LG) can carry the array and process the data in situ and report results during its weeks-long mission."
Multi-Purpose Antenna,N68335-08-C-0049,DOD,NAVY,SBIR,2007,2,250078.00,"Alaska Native Technologies, LLC",PO Box 241085,,Anchorage,AK,-,No,No,No,Paul Greenough,General Manager,3606976785,paulg@alaskanativetech.com,Joe Imlach,Chief Mechanical Engineer,9075690268,joe@alaskanativetech.com,"The proposed MFA is a complex, highly integrated architecture comprising a number of distinct radiating structures in a very compact package. The antenna design centers around a pair of conical radiators, which are DC (Direct Current) connected to the chassis/fuselage of the aircraft, as required in MIL-E-5400. These conical radiators are shared for simultaneous operation on 30-88 MHz, 118-174 MHz, 225-400 MHz and 960-1220 MHz. At the top of the conical radiator structure, there is a dual band (1575 & 1227 MHz) or broadband GPS patch antenna element, which incorporates a DC short circuit at its center. This patch exploits the height and ground plane provided by the top surface of the taller cone. In doing so, the GPS patch has improved performance at low elevation angles. The area available, and support structure, for the GPS patch could also support more sophisticated GPS antenna technologies as they become available."
Detection of Explosive Materials Using an Encapsulated Fluorescent Bioprobe,W9132V-06-C-0027,DOD,ARMY,STTR,2006,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126711369,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,,6072720002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"The use of explosives over the last 100 years has left up to 16,000 military ranges contaminated with highly toxic compounds. A major challenge to the remediation of these ranges is identifying the location of persistent explosive residues. To meet this challenge, Agave BioSystems in collaboration with Universities Space Research Agency (USRA) proposes to develop an encapsulated fluorescent bioprobe for detection of explosive materials. Encapsulation of the bioprobe will rely on porous silica nanoparticles, which will provide a matrix for the probe and enhance its environmental stability by allowing chemical agents of interest to enter while leaving the bioprobe impervious to other compounds and pH fluctuations. Detection will rely on a displacement immunoassay that results in fluorescence in the presence of explosives. Dye-labeled anti-TNT antibody fragments will provide fluorescence, and antibody fragments will be attached within porous silica nanoparticles. In the absence of TNT, the TNT quencher analogue will bind to the dye-labeled antibody fragments, preventing fluorescence. When TNT is present, the TNT quencher analogue will be displaced, removing the fluorescence quenching effect. The Phase I effort will focus on encapsulating the bioprobe and detecting 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)."
Microfluidic Optical Biosensor for Detection of Biowarfare Agents,W9132T-06-C-0029,DOD,ARMY,STTR,2006,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126711369,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel Tabb,,6072720002,jtabb@agavebio.com,"This STTR Phase I project will develop a microfluidic optical biosensor based on whispering gallery mode resonator technology for the detection of bioterrorism agents. The proposed device will bridge biological sciences with optics and material sciences to develop a commerically useful tool for homeland security. This microfluidic optical biosensor proposed by Agave BioSystems, in collaboration with Dr. Robert Boyd of the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, has the potential to detect low levels of pathogens within minutes after air sampling has been completed and will not be prone to the ambiguous results associated with PCR based detection technologies. The device relies on measuring the direct absorption of biological materials on the whispering gallery mode resonators by monitoring their effect on the light resonating within its microcavity. The proposed device will respond to the specific capture of Bacillus anthracis spores by antibodies on the resonator surface. By coupling the detection mechanism to a microfluidic delivery system, the device will have the potential to be automated and rely on small sample volumes. The microfluidics will be designed and fabricated at the wafer-level using glass wafer etching to embrace the current trend in the microsystems industry."
Carbon Nanotube-Based Adsorbents for Ultrafine Particulate and Volatile Air Contaminants,NNJ06JD83C,NASA,NASA,STTR,2006,1,100000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,Business Official,5126566200,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Joel S. Tabb,Principal Investigator,,jtabb@agavebio.com,"While the protective qualities of activated carbon have been enhanced by the addition of specific metal salts, activated carbon technology has changed little over the last 60 years. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems and the Universities Space Research Association, propose to develop next generation smart adsorbents using novel carbon nanotube (CNT)-based structures for the adsorption and destruction of potentially toxic air contaminants. Since CNTs have extremely high surface area, can be readily modified with metals or functional groups, and can function without the mass transfer limitations of traditional activated carbon, they are an ideal material for integration into spacecraft air handling systems. Our goal is to build upon the unique structural and chemical nature of carbon nanotubes to generate a new generation of smart adsorbents. The exceptionally high mass transfer properties of these in situ grown carbon nanotubes should reduce problems of current filters such as pore clogging or limited accessible material."
Polarization-Enhanced Sun-Glint Imaging for Measuring Ocean Wave Statistics,N68335-06-C-0193,DOD,NAVY,SBIR,2006,1,79979.00,"Airborne Technologies, Inc.",4338 N. GUNFLINT TRL,,WASILLA,AK,99654 9217,No,No,No,Catherine Herring,Business manager,9073571500,cherring@atiak.com,Tim Veenstra,President,9073571541,tveenstra@atiak.com,"The U.S. Navy is in need of a data collection system for developing a statistical model in terms of probability distribution functions of surface wave slopes. Airborne Technologies, Inc. proposes a unique method of using a dual polarization enhanced sun glint imaging system design that will image sun glints from waves of modest-to-large slopes. We will use optical polarization to enhance the contrast between steep-slope glints and the background, enabling automated glint detection. A computer that controls the imaging system will count glints in each pixel and construct a wave-slope probability density function. Funding to develop this unique design for an autonomous data collection system will enable Airborne Technologies to address current Naval needs as well as reach potential markets in NOAA, the research community and commercial environmental monitoring.BENEFITS: A number of commercial remote sensing applications will benefit from improved knowledge of the wave-slope probability. These measurements include sea-surface temperature sensing, ocean color imaging and aerosol retrievals, space and airborne lidar data calibration determination of laser eye safety in the marine environment, and near-surface wind sensing from air or space. The data collection system developed for this project will find both Department of Defense and commercial applications for passive measuring of surface fluxes as they relate to monitoring of boundary layer conditions for a variety of applications including vessel wake detection and climatic changes."
Multi-Purpose Antenna,N68335-06-C-0248,DOD,NAVY,SBIR,2006,1,79524.00,"Alaska Native Technologies, LLC",PO Box 241085,,Anchorage,AK,-,No,No,No,Paul Greenough,Contracts Manager,3606976785,paulg@alaskanativetech.com,Joseph Imlach,Chief Mechanical Engineer,9075690268,joe@alaskanativetech.com,"Currently the E-2C is covered with antennas for VHF/UHF line of sight, UHF satellite communications, L-band and GPS functions. There is a need to condense some of these functions into a single aperture to free up real estate on the aircraft for future additions and cut down on interference between the antennas. Combining these functions into a single multi-function antenna with a weight less than 10 lbs is the design goal. Combining these functions into a single antenna unit will also ultimately reduce costs and simplify installation on the aircraft. Similar benefits would be obtained in civilian applications with the same communications requirements.BENEFITS: The primary application of the developed MFA will be for the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft. It is anticipated that successful demonstration on this platform will be used to expand the application into other, predominantly DoD, applications. Alaska Native Technologies, LLC is an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) and an 8(a) Certified Company. This status makes us eligible for special Federal acquisition preferences due to Native American status. The 8(a) contracting method eliminates the program manager's long complex procurement cycle and provides a timely, straightforward and efficient contracting process. Adding the ANC ownership to an 8(a) firm removes all contract dollar limits on government contract sole sourcing. Since 8(a) companies can subcontract portions of the contract and/or lease employees, an optimal team will be assembled for the manufacture and installation of the MFA in all DoD applications. In addition, ANT qualifies for the Department of Defense (DoD) Indian Incentive Program. This program pays contractors a five percent rebate on subcontracting work given to a tribally owned entity. This status will be very helpful in marketing the MFA to military acquisition programs."
"Pier-Side, Bow Sonar Calibration Methodology for Wave Piercing Hull Forms",N65538-07-M-0052,DOD,NAVY,SBIR,2006,1,69978.00,"Alaska Native Technologies, LLC",PO Box 241085,,Anchorage,AK,-,No,No,No,Paul Greenough,Contracts Manager,3606976785,paulg@alaskanativetech.com,Gerald Denny,Chief Sonar Engineer,3606976785,skip@alaskanativetech.com,"Alaska Native Technologies, LLC proposes to develop a Near-Field Acoustic Holographic Calibration System that would be integrated into a wave piercing Bow Sonar to provide in-port calibration capability for a vessel."
Web-Crawler: A Paired Robotic System for Cleaning Offshore Aquaculture Nets,DG133R06CN0144,DOC,DOC,SBIR,2006,1,95000.00,"Scientific Fishery Systems, Inc",PO Box 242065,,Anchorage,AK,99524-2065,No,Yes,No,Patrick K. Simpson,President,9075633474,pat@scifish.com,Jae-Byung Jung,Senior Engineer II,9075633474,jae-byung@scifish.com,"Scientific Fishery Systems, Inc. (SciFish) proposes the development of a paired robotic Web-Crawler system for automatically cleaning offshore aquaculture nets. The Web-Crawler concept places paired wheeled robotic vehicles on either side of the cage, connected by magnets. Only one of the two vehicles will be powered, the other will be passive and be pulled along by its active partner. The vehicle will follow a predetermined path defined by a wire wove into the net. It is our initial hypothesis that the repeated movement over the net will be sufficient to eliminate biofouling. However, if necessary, water jets can be added to the system to provide additional cleaning capability. Power delivery to the vehicle will be provided to the vehicle on the outside of the pen. Phase I will address specific design issues such as sizing, coverage rates, power, and reliability"
Biological Degradation of Chemical Agents,W31P4Q-05-C-R143,DOD,DARPA,SBIR,2005,2,750000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126711369,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Mehran Pazirandeh,Staff Scientist,6072720002,mehranp@agavebio.com,"Current methods used for the destruction of CW agents are cumbersome, require extensive capital equipment such as incinerators and water reactors and pose potential environmental problems themselves. A novel approach for the destruction of CW agents involves genetically engineering microorganisms to produce recombinant enzymes that can efficiently degrade CW agents. Such a system would allow these toxic compounds to be efficiently degraded to harmless products. There are a number of advantages to a biological based system for degrading CW agents. First, a properly designed biological system would be easy to use by non-science personnel, such as Special Operation units of the armed forces. Also, a biological-based system would be cost effective because it would be self-generating, and each enzyme molecule can degrade many molecules of a CW agent due to their catalytic nature. In the Phase I, Agave BioSystems was highly successful in demonstrating proof of concept by genetically engineering B. megaterium to surface express OPH and show degradation activity. In the Phase II we will continue the development of a biologically based system for the efficient and safe destruction of CW agents, particularly the non-volatile persistent substances such as VX."
Environmentally Friendly Luciferase-based Illumination Technology,FA8650-05-C-5402,DOD,USAF,SBIR,2005,2,750000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126711369,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Kathy Wojtas,Staff Scientist,6072720002,kwojtas@agavebio.com,"Current technologies for marking of landing zones as well as areas for search and rescue have significant drawbacks ranging from the additional weight of batteries for some systems to plastic and metallic debris left behind. There are clear advantages both operationally and environmentally to utilizing bioluminescent materials that can be lighter and do not leave behind non-biodegradable debris. In Phase I, Agave BioSystems successfully demonstrated the use of bioluminescent technology in biodegradable packaging as a stable, easy to use and effective illumination system to replace current chemical and electrical systems. To accomplish this, we genetically engineered the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce luciferase, an enzyme produced by fireflies which when combined with luciferin generates the well know light emission. In addition to successfully completing the originally proposed work, we expanded our genetic engineering for expression in two other organisms, the bacterium E. coli and the yeast Pichia Pastoris. Furthermore, we were able to express not only the firefly luciferin (yellow-green) but also a blue and red emitting luciferin as well. Having demonstrated the versatility and effectiveness of this technology, we are now ready to develop important applications in Phase II."
Human Paraoxonase Bioscavenger for Nerve Agents,W81XWH-05-C-0023,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2005,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126711369,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Louis Hom,Staff Scientist,6072720002,lhom@agavebio.com,"In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a catalytic organophosphorus bioscavenger based on human paraoxonase 1 (PON1) for the protection of personnel against OP nerve agents. A catalytic bioscavenger that detoxifies multiple organophosphorus (OP) molecules by hydrolysis rather than a single OP molecule like Hu-BuChE greatly reduces the amount of protein required, making administration of the scavenger to large numbers of individuals safer and less expensive. PON1 is a serum protein found in humans and other animals which has been shown to catalytically inactivate paraoxon and other organophosphorus compounds. While the wild type human enzyme possesses too little activity to protect against large doses of OP agents, preliminary studies of chimeric PON1 mutants have identified a number of sequence changes that increase phosphotriesterase (PTE) activity significantly. A human PON1 (huPON1) with enhanced PTE activity could provide full protection against otherwise lethal exposures to OP agents and would still be compatible with the human immune system, allowing multiple doses to be administered."
ECIS Wound Healing High-Throughput Assay,W911NF-05-C-0017,DOD,ARMY,SBIR,2005,1,70000.00,"Agave BioSystems, Inc.",401 E. State Street,Suite 200,Ithaca,AK,14850-,No,No,No,Noe Salazar,President,5126711369,nsalazar@agavebio.com,Theresa Curtis,Staff Scientist,6072720002,tcurtis@agavebio.com,"Healing of a wound is a complex and protracted process of tissue repair and remodeling in response to injury. Understanding how the body repairs damaged tissue and what genes and biochemical factors influence the wound healing process will have tremendous impact on the treatment of chronic wounds and the regeneration of tissue and organ function after injury. To facilitate the discovery of genes and compounds that are involved in wound healing, Agave BioSystems will develop an in vitro cell based system that will allow high-throughput analysis of genes and chemical compounds that may have a therapeutic affect in wound healing. This high-throughput, in vitro, wound healing assay will utilize small interfering RNA to specifically interfere with the function of genes of interest and Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) to non-invasively monitor the kinetics of fibroblast and epithelial wound healing."